The revamped Los Angeles Lakers will finally show their wares against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The Lakers have revealed their starting lineup for the preseason opener against the Nuggets:
Lakers starting lineup to open the preseason: LeBron, Rondo, KCP, Ingram, McGee
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 30, 2018
With Lonzo Ball still working his way back from knee surgery, Luke Walton is turning to Rajon Rondo at point guard. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be featured as the team's designated shooter. Aside from putting in a career-best 38 percent from beyond the arc last season, the 6-foot-5 sharpshooter was also the Lakers' primary defender.
There's no need to discuss why LeBron James is in the starting lineup, though it will be interesting to see how the Lakers play out their defensive schemes with James and Brandon Ingram at the forward positions. One solution is Ingram guarding stretch power forwards who are lanky like him, while James will be assigned to bulky and heavier forwards.
Either way, Lakers fans will see a lot of switching on defense, considering how versatility is the team's trump card.
That's where JaVale McGee enters the picture. While a switching defense prioritizes cutting off the pick-and-roll offense and passing lanes, people have been underestimating how lengthy shot blockers like McGee provide an excellent back line of defense.
But the new Lakeshow will be much more than their starting lineup. While these players will be tasked to set the tone, many believe the Lakers will put in their own version of the “Death Lineup” that would feature more of Ball and Kyle Kuzma during crucial moments.
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